Good morning!!! School is officially OVER for the semester, grades are in (p.s. I got a 4.0 this semester- woo hoo!!!), and it’s Christmas break!!

When I think of winter break I automatically think of sleeping in, lounging with a cup of coffee, reading, and home made goodies like these cinnamon rolls. These would also be great to serve on Christmas morning!

I make my dough with a bread machine on the dough setting, but if you don’t have a bread machine (first of all, why in the world don’t you have a bread machine- they’re amazing!) you can certainly make this dough by hand.

Directions: Combine warm water, sugar and yeast in bread machine and allow the yeast to “proof” for 10 minutes.

Add the rest of the dough ingredients, turn the bread machine to “dough” setting and let it do it’s thing. (If you’re making the dough by hand you’ll combine the dough ingredients after the yeast “proofs” and knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic. Then cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 2 hours)

When dough is ready it will be a tiny bit sticky coming out of the bread machine- sprinkle with a little flour before you try to roll it out.

This recipe is just a rif on my go to sandwich bread recipe. I like how there is just enough oats in it to give it an oaty taste. This bread makes amazing sandwiches, or it’s just good for eating plain or with a little butter and jam too!

Into the bread machine goes the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let proof for 10 minutes (you can just add it in with the flours if you want, but I really think you get a better rise on the bread if you proof the yeast first- especially since it’s mostly 100% whole wheat!)

Once the yeast is proofed, add in the rest of the ingredients according to your bread machines instructions- mine says to do wet ingredients first, then dry.

I set my machine to sandwich bread with a light crust. And this will be a 1 to 1 1/2 lb loaf.

Let the bread machine do its thang.

(trick to slicing a loaf of sandwich bread… let it cool COMPLETELY before slicing. I know it’s hard to wait, but you’ll get more even slices and they won’t fall apart as you slice! Also make sure to use a bread knife!)

This bread is epic. I’m not joking. We’re talking life changing here people! This is so amazing that if you don’t have a bread machine I’m suggesting you go out and buy one right this second and immediately make this bread.

I took a bite of this and said holy sh*t this is amazing! And I’m not much of a curser, so that’s how good it is!

As I was filling the cranberry and walnut bins at work I was thinking about cinnamon raisin bread. (and who doesn’t think about cinnamon raisin bread while they’re at work, am I right?) and I was like OMG cranberry walnut bread! And a star was born!

I won’t waste any more time jibber jabbering because the more time you spend here reading this the less time you spend making this insanely amazing bread. And don’t be scared of the whole wheat thing- this bread is nice and light and fluffy!!

I used to spend about $5 a loaf for a good organic whole wheat sammy bread! (none of the stuff from the bread isle in the grocery store- it’s FULL of preservatives! And some of those preservatives come from animals bones…ewwwww!!!!) My bread machine has more than paid for itself already in the few weeks that I’ve had it (I got it on amazon for $79, but I’ve heard people say they’ve found awesome ones at the Goodwill for just a few dollars.)

This is my go-to bread for sandwiches. I make a loaf at least 1-2 times per week! This recipe is for a bread machine, but if you want to knead it out by hand and totally show me up you should go for it!! (I was born with the inability to knead bread. I’m totally not joking, I seriously can’t do it! Enter the bread machine- the new love of my life. Sorry hubby )

Into the bread machine goes the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let proof for 10 minutes (you can just add it in with the flours if you want, but I really think you get a better rise on the bread if you proof the yeast first- especially since it’s mostly 100% whole wheat!)

Once the yeast is proofed, add in the rest of the ingredients according to your bread machines instructions- mine says to do wet ingredients first, then dry.

I set my machine to sandwich bread with a light crust. And this will be a 1 to 1 1/2 lb loaf.

Let the bread machine do its thang.

(trick to slicing a loaf of sandwich bread… let it cool COMPLETELY before slicing. I know it’s hard to wait, but you’ll get more even slices and they won’t fall apart as you slice! Also make sure to use a bread knife!)

I love bread. It’s delicious! And contrary to what some people say, bread is not evil. Whole grains are crazy good for you, so why not go for whole grain bread?!

I’m a firm believer in everything in moderation. People that go to extremes (i.e. cutting out an entire food group) are the people who usually fail at a healthy diet and go back to extreme overeating of the unhealthy junk foods. So I allow myself to have everything I want in moderation. Why on earth would I want to live without bread?! And cupcakes? And even though I don’t eat dairy I still get to have my fill of yummy cheesy-ness in the form of Daiya cheese and even a delicious nutritional yeast cheese sauce. (and yes I do get my calcium in!) It’s all about moderation- I still stay within my caloric intake for the day. I still eat somewhere around 5-9 servings of veggies a day. I get my nutrients in and savor the things that feel like a treat to me!

So anyway I recently got a bread machine (my reward to myself for my May fitness challenge- a teeny bit early since the challenge isn’t technically over yet, haha).

I read a TON of reviews. I knew that I wanted one that was under $100. I also knew that I wanted a horizontal loaf pan so that it actually looked like a loaf of bread instead of a weird tube shape that you get with the vertical loaf pan.

So I ended up with the West Bend 41300 Hi-Rise. It’s even got two kneading blades!

I LOOOOOVE this thing! Though I’ve tried many many times I am completely unable to make home made bread. I’m not sure why. I follow directions and recipes to a T. But my bread NEVER turns out!

Not anymore! Every loaf I’ve made in this thing has been amazing!

Applesauce bread from the bread machine diva! SO amazing toasted and spread with a little earth balance!

Stay Connected

Looking for Something?

Footer #3 Widget

This is an example of a widgeted area that you can place text to describe a particular product or service. You can also use other WordPress widgets such as recent posts, recent comments, a tag cloud or more.